Meter



April 25, 1933. c. J. BAssLER 'METER Filed Dec. 2, 1929 Ill;

IVI

Patented Apr. 25, 1933 -ject to Wear or failure.

UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE CARLOS J'. B ASSLER, OF ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIG-NOR '.l'Ol AMERICAN LIQUID METER COMPANY, 0F ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON METER Application `filed December 2, 1929. Serial No. 410,991.v

This invention has to do with a meter and has articular reference to aineter embodying t ermostatic means operable to automatically change the volumetric capacity of the meter with change in temperature of liquid being measured, so that the liquid is accurately measured by mass, as distinguished from` volume.

It is a general object ofthe present invention to provide an improved arrangement and formation of parts in a meter of the/charvention embodies various principles applicable generally to displacement meters, and

therefore the invention is not to be construed as limited by various details that may be referred to in the course of the following description.

c It is an object of this invention to provide an arrangement of parts in a meter whereby a thermostatic control means is'embodied in the meter to dependably andaccurately control the meter.

It is another object of the invention to provide a'displacement meter which embodies a thermostatic control operable to accurately control the action of the meter without the aid of complicated or intricate devices sub- It is a further ob] ect of the present invention to provide a meter of the type hereinabove referred .to embodying a very few 'simple and inexpensive parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a meter of the character. mentioned above in which the Working or moving parts are of such nature as to be dependable and positive in operation `.and to be subject to practically no wear. f

The'various objects and features of my invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description .of a` typical form and application ofthe invention, throughout which description refernce will be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of'a meter embodying a typical form of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a detailed transverse sectional view of the meter taken as indicated by line 2 2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3

yis a detailed transverse sectional view of anbther part of the meter being a view taken substantially as indicated b Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged ongitudinal detailed sectional view of the parts embodying lie principal features of the present invenion. view taken as indicated 'by line 5 5 on Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a detailed transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. 4.

To facilitate an understanding of the general constructionin combination with which the invention is illustrated, I will first give a general description of the meter.

The-meter includes, generally, a measuring chamber or cylinder 10, a fluid displacing member or piston 11 operable in the cylinder, valve means 12 at the endsV of the cylinder controlling the iow of fluid to and from the cylinder, means 13 operatively connecting the piston 11 and valve means 12 whereby the valve means is actuated from the piston 11, and auxiliary valve actuating means 14 operable to carry the valve means 12 past or beyond the position to which its parts arc moved by the piston 11, to give themv lead so line 3--3 on Fig.5 is a detailed transverse sectional that the mechanism reverses its direction-of P action.

The cylinder 10 is of suitable dimensions liol( illustrated the ports are in the form of slots/ cut in or through the wall of the cylinder to communicate with manifolds at the exterior of the cylinder. The inlet ports 18 communicate with an intake manifold 20 having a receiving opening 21, while the outlet ports 19 communicate with an outlet manifold 22 having a. discharge opening 23.

The piston 11 is slidably mounted in the cylinder and has a body or web 24 which coin pletely separates the two ends oi the cylinder.

The valve means 12, provided or controlling the flow of duid to and from the ends of the cylinder, includes slide valves 25 and 26 at each end of the cylinder cooperating with the ports 18 and 19, respectively. The valves 25 and 26 slidably it the interior or wall of the c linder and are adapted to move longitudinal y in the cylinder to open and close the ports. The valves 25 and 26 at each end of the cylinder are connected together by suitable ribs 27. The valve parts 25 and 26 are related to each other and to the ports 18 and 19 so that the valve means can be positioned with the inlet po t 18 open and the outlet port 19 closed, or ldie outlet port open and the inlet port closed. The former positioning is illustrated at the right in-Fig. 1 while the latter is illustrated at the left in Fig. 1. Further, the parts are such that the valve parts 25 and 26 may be moved to a dead center position, that is, a position where both inlet and outlet ports are closed. y

'In the meter shown the means 13 operatively connects the piston 11 and the valve means 12 so that the valve means is moved to dead center position as the piston reaches either end of its stroke and the auxiliary valve means 14 is rovided to move the valve means 12 beyond tli the piston upon its reaching either end of its stroke. The means 13, the details of which will be hereinafter described, connects the valves at the two ends of the cylinder and is cooperatively related Vto the piston 11 to obtain the actlon just described.

The auxiliary valve actuating means 14' is operable to carr the valve means 12 past dead center, that 1s, past the (position to which the valve parts are operate that the valve means has lead to cause vthe mechanism to reverse. 'Ihe particular means 14 illustrated in the drawing includes, generally an auxiliary cylinder 37, a piston 38 operable in the cylinder, and ports in the c linder and piston cooperating to admit uid pressure to the ends of the cylinder to cause operation of the iston. The cylinder 37 is shown carried by t c head 16 of thc cylinder 10 and is rovided at each end with an inlet port 39 which opens into a assage 40 communicating with the manifo d 20 and with an outlet port 42 which communicates with a. passage 43 opening into the manifold 22 The piston 38 has sleeve parts 44 at its two e dead center position to reverse by the piston soincassa ends, each part 44 being provided with ports 45 and 46 to cooperate wlth the ports 39 and 42, respectively. The piston 38.7is operatively connected with the unit formed by the valve means 12 and the means 13. .ln the case illustrated, a rod 47 connects the piston 38 with the said unit. The piston 38 is moved longitudinally in the cylinder through the connection j ust described and is rotatedin the cylinder by means of a shaft 50 operatively connected with the piston 11 and a drive between the shaft 50 and the rod 47. The shaft 50 is carried between the heads of the cylinder 10 and extends through a block 51 in the piston 11. The shaft 50 is polygonal in cross section and made spiral, or pitched. The shaft fits the block 51 so that movement of the piston in the cylinder causes the shaft to rotate. The rotation of the shaftO is communicated to the rod 47 by a gear segment 52 fixed on the shaft 50 meshing with a gear segment 53 fixed on the rod 47. The various parts of the means 14 are constructed and related so that the ports in the means 14 have lead when the valve means 12 is moved to dead center causing the piston 38'to move in the cylinder 37 so that the valve means 12 is carried past dead center. The rotation of the piston 38 through the construction described reverses the lead in the ports of the means 14 so that the desired action takes lace when the piston 12 reaches each end o its stroke. The details of thismechanis'm are fully set forth and are claimed in my co-pending application above identified.

The means 13 operatively connecting the piston 11 and valve means 12 includes, generally, a rod A extending between the valve means atthe two ends of the cylinder and through the piston 11 located in the cylinder, stops B and C in connection with the rod to cooperate with the piston, thermally actuated means D for atusting one of the stops, and manual means for adjusting the other stop.

The rod A extends lon 'tudinally in the cylinder 10 and has its endgs-l connected to the ribs 27 vwhich connect the valve parts 25 andl 26. In the construction shown the ribs 27 are attached to hubs 60 which receive the ends of the rod A. The hub 60 at one end of the cylinder is carried on a reduced part 61 at the end of the rod, while the hub part 60 at the other end of the cylinder is carried on the rod between a collar 62 and the flange 63 of a lug 64 screw threaded into the rod, as will e hereinafter described. The rod A is round in cross section and slidably fits an 'opening 65 formed through the web or body 24 of the piston 11,.

`The stops B and C are preferably mounted directly on the rod A at o posite sides of the piston 11 and are adapte to be engaged by the piston 11 so that the rod A is operated longitudinally by the piston. The piston,

when moving to the left in the cylinder, engages the stop B and moves the rod A to the left until the valve means 12 reaches dead center position at which time the movement of the piston stops. The rod is then moved further to the left through the action of the auxiliary valve actuating means 14 above referred to. When the piston moves to the right in the'cylinder it engages` the stop C,

moving the rod A to the right until the valvev means 12 reaches dead 'center position at which time the piston 11 stops. The rod A and valvemeans 12 are moved further to the right through the action of the auxiliary valve actuating means 14 above referred to. It will be obvious that the positioning of the stops longitudinally on the rod, that is, l

the spacing of the stops on the rod, determines the length of stroke of the piston 11 in the cylinder 10 and therefore t'he volume of fluid passed by the meter on each stroke of the piston.

The present invention provides thermally actuated means for adjusting or varying the spacing of the stops on the rod to adjust or vary the stroke of the piston in the cylinder and thus compensate for change in temperature of the liquid being metered. The invention causes the meter to accurately measure mass regardless of volume, volume being a characteristic which is variable with temperature.

In the particular form of the invention being described the stop B is slidably mounted on the rod and is adapted to be adjusted, or varied as to position lengthwise of the rod, through action of the thermostatic means D. The stop B is illustrated in the form of a collar surrounding the rod and slidable longitudinally on the rod. The thermostatic means D includes a liquid filled opening preferably formed directlyv inthe rod A, a piston 71 operable in the opening to be moved by expansion of the liquid contained in the opening, means 72 for returning the piston upon contraction of liquid in the opening, and an operating connection between the piston and the stop B. ln the form of construction shown the opening 70 is formed longitudinally in the rod A and is provided at one end with a finished cylindrical pa-rt 7 3 which slidably carries the piston 71. The other end of the opening is tightly closed.

The piston 71 sldably lits the cylinder 73 and includes a washer or packing means 74: madetight in the cylinder by means of a compression `screw 75. The piston has an extension 76 which projects beyond the cylindrical part 73. The extension 76 is slidably guided'in a bore 77 formed in the rod A to carry the means 72. The means 72 may be inthe form of a compression spring,`

into the outer end of the bore 77. The spring 72 is normally under compression so that it urges the piston inwardly in the cylinder against the body of 'liquid contained in the opening 70.

The operating connection between the pist-on -71 and the stop B may include a pill 8O carried transversely by the piston extension 76 to project outwardly through longitudinal slots 81 in the rod A to en ge the stop B. The pin 80 is illustrated int e drawing in the form of a bolt which extends through the stop B, the longitudinal slots 81,

and the piston extension 76, as clearly illus- `opposite side of the piston, that is,l at the side opposite the stop B, and may be in the form of `a collar carried in the rod A. In accordance with the referred form of the invention, the stop is in fixed position on the rod A during operation of the meter.

This stop is adapted to be adjusted as to its 'position on the rod through the means E.

In, the construction shown the means E- includes an adjusting screw 82 screw threaded in an opening 83 extending into the rod A through the reduced part 61 above described. The screw 82 operates a push rod 82a which is slidably mounted in the opening 83 and which engages a cross pin 84 which is carried by the stop C and extends through a slot 85 formed transversely through the rod A. Thekslot 85 extends longitudinally of the rod to allow the stop C to be adjusted or moved longitudinally of the rod. A lock nut 86 is carried on the projecting end df the screw 82 to be set against the end of the rod so thatthescrew is locked in position. The

cylinder head 15 is provided with an opening v 88 opposite .thescrew 82 which opening is fitted with a removable cap 89. To manually adjust the stroke of the piston 11 in the cylinder, it is merely necessary to remove the cap 89 and manipulate the screwy 82 in the desired manner.

From the foregoinggdescription it is believed that the general operation of the meter will he fully understood, it being obvious how the pistonll reciprocates in the cylinder engaging the stops B and C so that the rod A is operated to move the valveilneans 12. `As stated above, the spacing of thestops B and C on the rod A determines the stroke of the piston and therefore the volume of duid passed by the meter. With the construction above described, the temperature of the Huid being metered, or being passed through the meter, acts on the Huid contained in the opening 70 in the rod A to vary the'position of the stop B on the rod in accordance with the temperature of the liquid beingmetered. In

tad

practice it is desirable to fill the opening in the rod A with material the same as that being handled by the vmeter, for example, if a crude oil is to be handled by the meter, it

' is preferred to lill the opening 70 with crude oil. It will be apparent how the expansion of Huid-in the opening 7 0 Will move the piston 71 outwardly in the cylinder 7 3 and thus move the stop B away from the stop C. Likewise it will be apparent how the spring 70 returns the piston 71 in the cylinder as the liquid in the opening 70 cools, moving the stop B toward the stop C.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the construction provided by this invention automatically adjusts or regulates the stroke of the piston 11, according to the temperature of the liquid being passed through the meter, so that liquid is measured as to its mass, as distinguished from volume. The manual adjusting means E provides for making general adjustments in the mechanism while the thermostatic means I) operates automatically to adjust the meter while it is in operation.

It is to be particularly noted that the construction providedby this invention is extremely simple and inexpensive of manufacture and that it involves but few, dependable parts. The various parts involved in the construction are such as to be subject to little or no wear, and therefore the device will last indefinitely. s

Having described only a typical, preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve 'to myself any changes or variations thatmay appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a meter, a measuring chamber having inlet and outlet openings, a fluid displacing part operable in the chamber, valve means for controlling flow of iuid through said openings, and an operating connection between the Valve means and said part through which the valve means is operated by said part, said connection including thermostatic regulating means through which motion `is communicated from saidpart to the valve means to cause operation of the valve means.'

2. In a meter, a measuring chamber having inlet and outlet openings, a fluid displacing part operable inr the chamber, valve means for controlling flow of fluid through said openings, a valve operating rod engaged bysaid part to be operated thereby, and thermostatic regulating means carried by the rod for regulating the operative relation between said part and the valve means.

3. In a meter, a measuring chamber having inlet and outlet openings, a fluid displacing part operable in the chamber, valves controlling said openings, a rod connecting the valves and connected with said part to be operated thereby, and thermostatic regulating means carried by the rod for regulating the operative relation between said part and the valve means.

4. In a meter, a measuring chamber having inlet and outlet openings, a fluid displacing part operable in the chamber, Valves controlling said openings, a rod connecting the Valves and operable to actuate the valves, means whereby the rod is operated by said part, and thermostatic regulating means in the rod.

5. In a meter, a measuring chamber having inlet and outlet openings, a fluid displacing part operable in the chamber, a control unit including valves controlling said openingsand a rod connecting the valves, and a thermally controlled operating connection between said part and the rod including a stop on the Irod adapted to be engaged by the said part to. operate the rod, and temperature responsive means carried by the rod Afor varying the operative relationship of the said. part and the stop.

6. Ina meter, a measuring chuamber having inlet and outlet openings, a fluid displacing part operable in the chamber, a control unit including valves for controlling said openings and a rod connecting said valves, operative connections between the said part and the rod, said part and rod having relative movement, thermostatic means carried by the rod for regulating the operative connections to vary the .said relative* movement in one direction, and manual means for regulating the operative connections to vary ysaid relative movement in the other direction.

7. In a meter, a measuring chamberhav; inginlet and outlet openings, a fluid displacing part operable in the chamber, valves con-- trolling thelopenin s, a rod connecting the valves, means where y the rod is operated byv said part, and thermostatic regulating means carried by the rod for regulating the operative relation between said part and the rod, and manual adjusting means for regulating the operative relation between said part Aand the rod.

8. In a meter, a cylinder having inlet and outlet openings, a piston operable in the cylinder, valves controllin flow to and from the cylinder through sai openings at opposite sides of 'the' piston, a rod extending through the piston and connecting the valves, the rod carrying parts to be cooperatively engaged by the piston, and said rod also carrying thermostatic means operable to vary the operative relationship ofthe piston and posite sides of the piston, a rod extending throu h the piston and connecting the valves, spaced parts on the rod to be cooperatively engaged by the piston, and thermostatic means operable to vary the spacing of the parts on the rod.

10. In a meter, a cylinder having inlet and outlet openings, a piston operable in the cylinder, valves controlling fiow to and from the cylinder throu h the openings, a rod extending through t e piston and connecting the valves, parts on the rod at opposite sides of the piston to be cooperatively engaged by the piston, and thermostatic means operable to rary the position of one of the parts on the ro v 11. A meter valve rod including, a rod, spaced stops on the rod, and thermostatic means carried by the rod for varying the spacin of the stops.

12. i meter valve rod including, a rod, spaced stops on-the rod, means for manually adjusting one of the stops on the rod and thermostatic means carried by the rod operable to adjust one of the stops on the rod.

13. A meter valve rod including,y a rod,

two spaced stops on the rod, means for manually adjusting one of the stops on the rod, and thermostatic means carried by the -rod operable to adjust the other stop on the rod.

14. A meter valve rod including, a rod having an opening therein, spaced stops on the rod, and thermostatic means in the opening in the rod for varying the spacing of the stops..

15. A meter valve rod including, a rod having a fluid carrying opening, a piston operable in the openlng andconining Huid in the opening, a stop carried on the rod, and means operatively connecting the piston and stop.

16. A meter valve rod including, a rod havin a fluid carrying opening, a piston operabIe in the opening and confining a body of fluid in the opening, means normally yieldingly urging the plston against fluid in the opening, a stop carried on the rod, and means operatively connecting the piston and stop.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 4th day of November, 1929.

v CARLOS J. BASSLER. A 

